Yoko Taro, the celebrated creator of NieR: Automata and Drakengard, recently discussed the profound impact of ICO on video games as an art form. Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, ICO quickly gained cult status for its minimalist design and evocative, wordless storytelling.
Taro highlighted the game's revolutionary core mechanic—guiding Yorda by holding her hand—as a radical departure from established gameplay conventions. "If ICO had tasked you with carrying a suitcase the size of a girl instead," Taro noted, "it would have been incredibly frustrating." This simple act of leading another character, he emphasized, was groundbreaking, challenging the prevailing understanding of interactivity in games.
At the time, successful game design often prioritized engaging gameplay even with extremely simplified visuals. ICO, however, prioritized emotional resonance and thematic depth over purely mechanical innovation. Taro believes the game proved that art and narrative could be more than mere window dressing, becoming integral to the overall experience.
Calling ICO "epoch-making," Taro lauded its ability to convey profound meaning through subtle interactions and atmospheric design, reshaping the course of game development.
Beyond ICO, Taro cited Undertale (Toby Fox) and LIMBO (Playdead) as similarly influential titles. These games, he argued, expanded the expressive capabilities of interactive media, demonstrating video games' potential for delivering deeply emotional and intellectually stimulating experiences.
Taro's appreciation for these games offers valuable insight into the creative wellspring of his own work, further highlighting the ongoing evolution of video games as a powerful and versatile art form.
